GRAND designs that could transform York's green belt land into a bustling student campus complete with water features, landmark buildings and a possible entertainment venue can today be revealed in the Evening Press.

The University of York proposes to expand its Heslington campus on to 65 hectares of farmland - the size of 60 football pitches - to the east of the village, almost doubling the institution's size and increasing student capacity by 50 per cent.

Documents leaked to the Evening Press outline how the ambitious plans could see the "Heslington East" extension linking with the existing campus to create a centre of learning that stretches from Grimston Bar to Heslington Hill.

The sweeping proposals, submitted in the university's 40th anniversary year, will build on the university's world-class reputation with much-needed space for new academic departments, enviable indoor sporting facilities and a possible student venue.

A university source said: "Experts developing the master plan for the site have been asked to further investigate the feasibility of a number of wide-ranging proposals.

"A performing arts centre, indoor sports complex, conference centre and water feature are all being considered for the first phase of the development, which will contain the bulk of the proposals."

Susan Stern, vice-chairwoman of Heslington Parish Council, said there were "mixed feelings" among residents about the plans, adding that many feared the village would become a "city centre" for the two campuses. She said: "A lot of people do not feel that it is appropriate to use good green belt land and endanger the community, but others feel it is inevitable and would like to trust the assurances given to us by the university."

A three-month internal consultation exercise, run alongside a similar public scheme and spearheaded by the university's vice-chancellor, Brian Cantor, has found a groundswell of support for the scheme among staff.

They said expansion could embrace the York community with social venues shared with schools and residents, but employees raised fears over the threat the plans posed to the character of Heslington village and transport difficulties across the vastly-expanded site.

Staff members had suggested that the development recreated the "feel" of the existing campus, mixing academic, residential and commercial buildings to avoid the perceived "isolation" of the adjacent York Science Park.

University chiefs are also understood to also be investigating the creation of three new subject areas, potentially in the fields of business, including law or accountancy; medicine and the creative arts such as drama.

Residents are invited to the official launch of the development master plan, at Archbishop Holgate's School meeting on Monday, at 7pm.

Updated: 11:25 Thursday, February 27, 2003